Trip from Hobbs, NM to Tome, NM
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 3m
Distance
347.1 mi
559 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hobbs, NM
Wikimedia Commons
Tome, NM
Tolga deniz Aran
Trip Overview
This 347.1-mile drive from Hobbs, NM to Tome, NM will take approximately 7 hours and 3 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible day trip. You'll spend about 33% of your journey on highways, with the bulk of the miles on South Main Street and I-40. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $52, and you'll want to plan for at least two stops along the way. This route offers a mixed drive experience through the Desert Southwest region of New Mexico. Given the duration, starting early will allow for a comfortable pace and time to enjoy the scenery.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
173.5 miles from Hobbs, NM
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Main Street | 113.3 mi | 2h 13m |
| I 40 | 57.9 mi | 1h 1m |
| NM Highway 529 | 31.2 mi | 46m |
| Southeast Main Street | 30 mi | 35m |
| Lovington Highway | 29.1 mi | 43m |
| Shenrick Street | 27.5 mi | 31m |
| Pan American Freeway | 22.2 mi | 23m |
| West Carlsbad Highway | 12 mi | 13m |
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 25 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,927 veh/hr typical · worst 3,488
Quietest
3 AM
~337 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hobbs, NM and Tome, NM.
Start on North Turner Street
Turn right onto US 62; US 180
Continue on US 62; US 180
Turn right onto NM 529
At end of road, turn left onto US 82
Continue on US 82
Turn right onto US 285
Continue on US 285
Continue on US 285
Continue on US 285
Continue on US 60; US 285
Turn left
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 25
Take the exit
Turn left onto NM 6
Continue on NM 6
Continue on NM 6
Continue on NM 6
Turn right onto NM 263
Continue on NM 263
Turn right onto NM 47
Turn right onto Church Loop Road
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Hobbs, NM, to maximize daylight and allow for your two planned stops without feeling rushed. The estimated fuel cost of $52 is a good baseline, but always factor in a buffer. Pay attention to your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 113.3 miles on South Main Street, as services might be more spread out. Breaking up the drive with stops will help you stay alert and enjoy the journey through New Mexico.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 76 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.5 miles or 3h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tome, NM than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
Open the route before leaving Hobbs, NM so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hobbs, NM
This is one driving day of about 347.1 miles and 7h 3m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
174 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 173.5 miles from Hobbs, NM, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Main Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
US-285 Vaughn Picnic Area
Mesa Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
Cline's Corners
Pilot Travel Center
Pilot Travel Center
TA
TA
Lisa's Truck Center
Love's Travel Stop
Dr. John Clarke Rest Area
Rest Area
Rest Area
Wheels Museum
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hours: 9 am–12 pm
+15052436269
Visit websiteABQ BioPark Zoo
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+15057682000
Visit websiteTurquoise Museum
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Albuquerque, New Mexico
+15054333684
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 257.2 and 338.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 25 North, I 25 South: Las Cruces, Santa Fe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 25 South: Las Cruces
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 25 / Pan American Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward HR 66: University of New Mexico Valencia Campus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.35 one way
$106.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $59.01 | $118.01 |
| premium | $4.65 | $63.50 | $127.01 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $73.11 | $146.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.1 | 1 | $36.45 | $16.66 |
| Efficient EV | 86.8 | 0 | $30.37 | $13.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.8 | 1 | $48.59 | $22.21 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Hobbs, NM
Afternoon in Hobbs on Wednesday
Local time
1:04 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Clear
Destination
Tome, NM
Afternoon in Tome on Wednesday
Local time
1:04 PM
MDT
Current temp
51°F
Clear
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 3m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Petroglyph National Monument
National Monument
Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive is characterized as a 'Mixed drive,' meaning you'll encounter a variety of road types. While 33% of the route is on highways, you'll also navigate local roads, including a significant 113.3-mile stretch on South Main Street. This suggests a journey that transitions from potentially faster highway travel to more local, perhaps slower, road conditions. The profile indicates a dynamic driving experience that changes as you progress from Hobbs towards Tome.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 257.2 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 347.1 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 257.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 315.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 315.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
Total Climb
4,235 ft
Total Descent
3,030 ft
Highest Point
6,816 ft
~247.9 mi in
Elevation Range
3,500 ft
Notable High Points
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hobbs, NM to Tome, NM, road signs begin pointing toward Santa Fe along the way.
Santa Fe
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Kith+Kin
Cafe
Early in the drive, right off the route
Artesia, NM
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-20:00; Sa 08:00-16:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Albuquerque, NM
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Su 05:00-21:30
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Early in the drive, right off the route
Roswell, NM
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Su-Sa 06:00-21:00
Visit websiteRustic Bubble Tea Cafe
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Cuisine: bubble_tea;vietnamese
Dutch Bros. Coffee
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Albuquerque, NM
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: 05:00-23:00
Visit websiteDegenerate Coffee
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Roswell, NM
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Tu-Sa 06:00-14:00
Visit websiteDomino's
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Artesia, NM
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-01:00; Su...
Visit websiteLa Fonda
Restaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Cuisine: mexican
Visit websiteMcDonald's
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Cuisine: burger
Visit websiteMcDonald's
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Roswell, NM
Cuisine: burger
Hours: 05:00-24:00
Visit websiteSonic
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Roswell, NM
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Mo-Th 06:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 06:00-01:00; Su...
Visit websiteTaco Bell
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Roswell, NM
Cuisine: tex-mex
Hours: 10:30-23:00
Visit websiteMoore-Ward Cobblestone House
Attraction
Early in the drive, right off the route
Artesia, NM
Visit websiteHeritage Walkway
Attraction
Early in the drive, right off the route
Artesia
Hobbs Historical Marker
Park
Near the start, right off the route
Oil County Historical Marker
Park
Near the start, right off the route
William Baskin House Historic Site
Attraction
Early in the drive, right off the route
NM
Hodges-Runyan-Brainard House Historic Site
Attraction
Early in the drive, right off the route
NM
The Vaquero
Artwork
Early in the drive, right off the route
The Rustler
Artwork
Early in the drive, right off the route
Artesia Historical Museum and Art Centre
Museum
Early in the drive, right off the route
NM
Freedom's Fire
Artwork
Early in the drive, right off the route
Baish Veterans Park
Memorial
Early in the drive, right off the route
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Museum
Near the end, short detour
Albuquerque, NM
Hours: Mo-SU 09:00-17:00
Hotel Artesia
Hotel
Early in the drive, right off the route
Artesia
Visit websiteHardwick Hotel
Hotel
Early in the drive, right off the route
NM
Heritage Inn
Hotel
Early in the drive, right off the route
Ramada
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Albuquerque
Visit websiteFreeway Inn
Motel
Near the end, short detour
Ramada
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Hobbs, NM
Full guide →Founded 1907
Hobbs is a city of 39,000 people (2019) in Southeast New Mexico.
Arriving in Tome, NM
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 3m. Total distance: 347.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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